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You have no idea how long this post has been sitting in my drafts, incomplete. I’ve come back to it many times, adding bits and pieces here and there but never quite finishing it. I don’t know if it’s a season I’m in right now, or maybe this is the “new normal” but I’m having a terrible time finishing my tasks. Call it mommy brain. Maybe it’s distraction. Perhaps I’m just lazy. Focus has been an issue (see my “Word of the Year“). In any case, my motivation is shot and I’m really stressed out about getting it back!

I’ve been in the kitchen about three times today and this is what I see. Dishes piled up on both sides. Stuff that wouldn’t fit in the dishwasher before it was started last night as well as breakfast dishes. My husband’s French press is there, filled up with grounds to be emptied and rinsed out. My older kids emptied the dishwasher this morning so it’s clear and ready for me to load. Loading the dishes and washing the pans will take me ten minutes, tops. I just can’t get motivated to do it. It will get done for sure. I’ll start on the dishes as soon as my husband calls to let me know he’s driving home from work. That’s my ultimate motivation: getting it done before anyone walks in the door and sees dishes that have been ignored for 10 hours.

I should be over there, cleaning up the dishes!

Procrastination Problems

I’m a big time procrastinator. But only when it comes to certain things, I’ve found.

As soon as I’m up in the morning, I wake up my kids and I return to my room. I wash my face and I make my bed. Every day, I make the bed. I never procrastinate on that task. The bed gets made no matter what. It’s not like I enjoy making the bed, it’s just a habit that I get it done before I leave the house.

So why do I procrastinate on some things and not on others?

I know that I have certain tasks to do on the regular. I keep to-do items on my calendar. And sometimes even though they are STARING me in the face and I KNOW I need to do them, I skip right over them.

Why do I prioritize some things and not others? What is deemed more important to finish? I’ve learned that for me, it’s when I might suffer a consequence that I’ll get the job done. If I have a project due, it will get done or I don’t get paid. If my kids don’t have any more socks in their drawer, I’ll be sure to wash the whites. If my husband would be upset to come home after a long day at work and see that I didn’t take ten minutes to wash dishes, I’m definitely going to make sure the kitchen is tidy before he walks in the door.

If there’s no consequence, then I most often don’t push myself. How can I get that internal push to make myself better…for me and not for anyone else or because there’s a consequence?

Move the Mountains

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains.

And I believe, I’ll see You do it again.

You made a way, where there was no way.

And I believe I’ll see You do it again

Do It Again – Elevation Worship

A few weeks ago in church, our worship leader talked a bit before this song began about the meaning in the lyrics. I’ve sung that song dozens of times and had never thought of it in the terms he brought up. He shared that there have been times when he’s prayed to God that the mountain in front of him be moved. Whatever the obstacle was, he just wanted it gone. However in some cases, instead of the mountain moving, he tackled the problem instead by climbing the mountain, therefore bringing him closer to God.

How Am I Waiting for the Mountain to Move?

I feel like I have sooo many things I want to do, “if only” that thing or this thing wasn’t getting in the way. If I could afford a gym membership, I’d work out more often. If my toddler was more independent, I could go back to work. If I had more time, I’d sew more/write more/spend more time with my kids.

However in so many ways, God has moved those mountains for me but I put up my own mountains back in their place. I lost my job several years ago, which provided me with a LOT more free time! Instead of taking advantage of the blessing of more time to accomplish the things I really wanted to, I filled up my time with extra helpings of sleeping in, social media and television binge-watching. I’m sure it’s not exactly what He had in mind for me when I wanted more time!

Procrastination Is My Mountain

Procrastination has always been my mountain.

I’ve been waiting for it to move and for me to get my “mojo” back. But that mountain isn’t going to move. It’s never going to move. I’m always going to have that mountain in front of me with endless things I have to do, want to do and need to do. My mind and my list are going to prioritize them in order. Some things will happen. Others won’t. But if I keep standing in front of that mountain, waiting for it to go away or move, nothing will get done at all. I’m going to have to climb.

Get Out of My Head

For me, the key to getting all the things done that I want to do in a day in a daily to-do list. There is a certain satisfaction with writing down tasks and visually being able to cross them out as I get them done. It’s been important to my well being to get all the tasks out of my head and jot them on paper instead. Even little things like, “Drop off package at post office” are on the list because nothing is too small of a task. And when it’s done – whoosh, I can gladly mark through it…DONE!

I also keep an entire folder of things to follow up on. When I return something in the mail or I’ve made a phone call about something pending or there’s just something I need to check back on at a later date, it goes in my “To Follow Up On” folder. Once a week I go through every single item in the folder to keep myself updated and not let anything slip thorough the cracks. That folder has saved my Swiss cheese brain many times over!

By breaking up my tasks into smaller bits, I’m able to tackle them more easily. Number one on the list was to get this post published. And if you’re reading this, it’s finally happened…yay, me!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GladeFineFragranceMist #CollectiveBias

In the last few months, I’ve been focusing on being in a more intentional place. FOCUS is my Word of the Year and I really am trying to press into that. I want to be a more focused mother for my children. A wife who has a great focus on marriage as a whole. And I’ve just started going to night school, so I definitely want to be more focused on my studies. All this focus can leave other things, like housework, in the dust (literally!) There’s only so much of me to go around, you know? Staying focused on a few things means that other things can get neglected. And to be honest, that truly affects my mood. I want to be good at everything, even when I know that’s impossible! But if I neglect ME, then nothing else is going to go right.

Saying Yes to More Peace

My moms group has been delving into the topic of getting more peace in our lives. Bottom line: It’s not your circumstances that bring you down. It’s the attitude and thinking you have about things that ultimately makes you upset. My happiness should not be based upon what is happening around me. It’s not the circumstances, it’s the attitude and thinking I have about them.

I have it on my heart to be more conscious about my mood when I come home after a long day. It’s too easy to fall into the chaos once inside the door and I aim to be more centered and at peace at home. A relaxed and calm Mom is better at all things!

One thing that I do as a reminder to stay serene is take a moment in my entryway to pause. It’s only a moment that I need before the whirlwind hits me. I have my entryway table set up with everything I need for a proper welcome home. I can choose to think about positives I’m grateful for and not the potential craziness that awaits me beyond the entryway. With just a few key items in this place, I’ve made my home a more calm place.

Creating a Calm and Peaceful Entryway

Creating a peaceful and beautiful entryway helps set up the reminders for me about being purposeful. I have carefully chosen only what makes me happy and gives meaning. Clutter is the enemy! Only what absolutely needs to be there should be allowed in this place. I take time each day to make sure this area is tidy. Even if my office desk has a huge stack of papers or there are dirty dishes in the kitchen sink, at least I know that this one sacred place of peace and meditation is clutter-free.

These are the things I have in my lovely entryway that bring me joy –

Favorite art and calming quotes. Surrounding yourself with lovely things really does go a long way towards calm.

A table runner is a great base to start from. I went with a neutral so that I could choose to add more color with my accessories.

A place to put car keys because hunting for lost car keys when you’re already running late is going to make you crazy. I love this pretty bowl to use as a catch-all from keys to earrings.

I try to deal with mail immediately while it’s in my hand. I sort out the junk into the recycling and put bills on my office desk. Don’t let paper clutter up your special space.

Add a touch of nature, whether it be a vase with flowers, a tiny cactus or something like this bonsai I have. An earthy reminder can help you to stay grounded.

Include something meaningful to you. I have a pretty vintage cake plate and a soapstone container that my husband bought me on our first vacation together.

Using Fragrance to Move My Mood

The Glade® Atmosphere Collection™ Fine Fragrance Mist helps welcome me home. The scent of fragrance upon coming in my front door is the gentle nudge I need to remind me to breath deeply, stay calm and let the stress of the day slip away. I found these at Walmart. I chose each of these two fragrance mist products for different reasons.

The notes of jasmine and rose with cedarwood and clove in the No.1 Enraptured™ fragrance helps to put me in a loving mood. The No.2 Bright™ scent has a light and bright note of raspberries and orchard fruits with pear and sweet pea.

The Glade® Atmosphere Collection™ Fine Home Fragrances are infused with essential oils and masterfully crafted fragrances. Just spray up and sweep side to side. It is a continuous spray so the mist lingers in the air. A quick spray and deep breath from me and I’m in my calm space. Just the welcome home that I need!

How can you use fragrance to transport you into a peaceful place?

https://momrewritten.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_4500.jpg19803884Julie Bigboyhttps://momrewritten.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Mom-Rewritten-Blog-Logo-300x169.pngJulie Bigboy2018-03-21 07:15:022018-05-09 14:49:53Create a More Calm and Peaceful Entryway in Your Home

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and the Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #NourishOnTheGo #SnackWithPurpose #CollectiveBias

How many times I’ve said that phrase, “I’m going to get healthy this time, I really mean it!” Only to fall off the wagon as soon as a piece of chocolate cake crosses my path. Unfortunately chocolate cake seems to cross my path frequently and I’m off the wagon more than I’m on it! Now that I’m reaching my mid-40s and starting to see the effects that years of neglect (and too much chocolate cake) have done to me, I’m finally seeing the light. I’m making little changes for a big difference. I’m getting serious about my health and am pushing myself to finally make good on all the promises to improve my eating and exercise habits. This time, I really DO mean it.

Odwall Chocolate Protein, a much better choice than cake!

Holding Myself Accountable

It’s easier to stick to my goals if I hold myself accountable. For me, that means choosing people I trust to lovingly nag me! Yeah, I probably don’t really want to hear the question, “Did you go to the gym today?” when I decided to skip going. But if I KNOW that someone is going to ask me every day, then I’m more likely to go. That way I can say, “Yep! Already went to the gym first thing in the morning!”. Opening up to people who can gently guide you towards your goals helps you to stay on track.

Healthy Living Tip#1 – Choose your inner circle of people whom you trust to lovingly ask you about your healthy journey. Choose one person for each task, someone to ask you about exercise, another to ask you if you ate a healthy breakfast, someone else to ask you if you’re drinking water. A text is good, a phone call is better and someone actually in your face is optimal (and not as easy to ignore!)

Little Goals Are Still a Big Deal

Though of course I have the big picture in mind, setting smaller goals helps me stay focused. If I concentrate on losing 5 lbs at a time, this seems more “do-able” than the entire 25 I need to tackle. And if I remind myself that 30 minutes of moving is all I need daily, once I already have my gym clothes on I’m more likely to stretch that 30 minutes into an hour.

Healthy Living Tip#2 – Even if my goals are small, they’re still important to me. Set goals in manageable chunks so they seem easier to accomplish.

Make It Prominent for All to See

After years of breaking my healthy living promises, I don’t trust myself. It’s way too easy for me to hide the sweets and eat them all myself after everyone is in bed. It’s too easy to just let the exercise slide and soon enough, it’s been weeks since I put on my gym shoes. I’ve decided to make a checklist that I’m displaying on the fridge. Then everyone in the family can see it, good or bad.

Healthy Living Tip#3 – Sure, smart phone apps are handy for keeping track of this stuff, but it’s for your eyes only and too easy to hide. If I don’t have it on display for all to see, it’s way too easy for me to blow it off. Maybe you’re the same way? I have a check list on the fridge that outlines if I’ve exercised, how many cups of water I’ve had and my food log.

Do the Same Thing Everyday

Getting into a healthy pattern takes practice. For me, it helps to do the same things day in and day out. Wake up and put on my gym clothes. Exercise before I can talk myself out of it. Eating a good breakfast is part of what I’ve added to my routine too. It’s easiest and most reliable for me to grab and go breakfast in the mornings. Having an Odwalla before I hit the gym ensures I have good nutrition in my body to sustain me for a workout.

Healthy Living Tip #4 – What are the things you can make routine? If you’re currently in a rut, how can you switch things up for repeat success?

The Good Health Snowball Effect

When I’m working out regularly I’m encouraged to eat better as well. I don’t want to ruin my workout by eating something that will cause me to backtrack. Having Odwalla on hand helps me to make the best choices when refueling.

My local Vons has a large juice section in the fresh produce department with a fantastic variety of Odwalla 100% juices and smoothies, protein and almond milk shakes. Ingredients are non-GMO, have no added sugar and taste great. I had no idea there were so many varieties of Odwalla!

Right now you can save on fresh cut fruit when you purchase any 2 Odwalla product at participating stores. I’m practicing good habits that have me reaching for fresh fruit instead of empty carbs.

It’s so easy for me to stock up on Odwalla to have on hand. Then I just grab one after lacing up my gym shoes and drink it before my workout. 32 grams of protein in the Chocolate Protein Smoothie gives me long-lasting energy so I can push myself to meet (and exceed!) my goals. I’m eating better and exercising more; Which in turn makes me want to continue to give my body the good stuff (sorry, not sorry chocolate cake!).

Save $1 on your next purchase of in-store fresh cut fruit when you buy any TWO (2) Odwalla 15.2 fl. oz. (You’ll receive a print out coupon at the register.). Offer ends 10/31/2017.